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Got another one.

Haven't been able to log onto the BMWMOA forums for... 6 or so months, but here I am!

On Friday, I picked this up off craigslist for $500. It had been sitting for ~20 years. As this is my 4th 1974 /6 that I'm resurrecting from the dead, I don't really have any questions, so I'll just cough up the pictures.

The craigslist ad, titled "BMW R75/6 - $3500":

"BMWR75/6 with a Windjammer SS windshield and Vetter luggage rack"

I emailed him, pointed out everything wrong with the bike and the price and offered him $500. 1/7th of his asking price. My power went out because of a tornado. They kind-of accepted my offer via email, but I didn't see it. Monday morning came around and I got the email and arranged to look at it that afternoon. I arrive, backyard full of cars and junk and the bike is sitting out, shocks are completely compressed, and it's sinking about 2 inches into the ground. Mechanically, it's all there and the engine turns over. It's a repaint but it's still in good shape. I have to explain to the guy what year it is, what the model number means, etc.

He kept saying "splash of gas and a new battery and it'll run." With all my might I pry open the gas tank and it reeks of bad gas. I pop the carb bowls and they're PACKED full of mud/dirt/white fuzz. I say, "this isn't too good." He replies, "It's not too bad either. I used to own a carburetor shop for 27 years."

I say I'm sticking with $500. He says someone is offering him $4200. Bull****. I advise him to take that offer. I get home and have an email asking if I can do $650. I reply $500 is my best price. On Friday, they tell me they'll take $500. Ok. Except, my truck is down for repairs.. So, off to U-Haul to rent one.

Upon arrival, he trimmed the weeds, found the seat and other luggage, and I found a key that opened the top box. With the help of his brother/cousin, we loaded it up and I headed home. Unloading it by myself out of the back of a U-Haul was tricky, but I managed. I just checked craigslist, and it's still on there, although I see he lowered the price to $2000 at some point.

Now, the pictures:

Gonna need a new switch:

Found this picture in the top case. So, the guy rode around with a picture of his own bike?

First thing I did was remove the fairing. Why are previous owners such hacks?

Some weird air shocks that don't work any more:

The guy claimed to have a carburetor shop. Ironic that the carburetors are the worst part of the bike.

This is the worst of the two sides, just a faint fuzz of rust on the top rocker block that I was able to wipe off with my finger. The other side was perfect. The plugs looked good, too.

Aftermarket mufflers:

So, I tore the bike down all weekend. Overall, I'm satisfied with $500. These pictures don't do it justice; apart from the usual funk of sitting around since 1993, the bike is in really good shape. Everything is surprisingly clean. The front brake and carburetors appear to be the major concern.

I sorted the wiring pretty quick. I drained all the fluids and they looked pretty clean. All the bolts are coming off with some persuasion and it's going pretty smooth. The oil pan isn't wanting to pop off, but I'll get it.

The only problem so far is when I tore apart the carbs. Both idle jets sheared and broke in the carb bodies. My brothers a wizard with a Dremel tool, so I'll just send him the carbs while I casually look for spares in case they can't be saved.

Welcome back. Love the fact you are saving something from certain death. Bring it to the next tech day in Labadie and let the other guys learn something from it. Waiting to see the photos, the actual bike, and your progress.

So good to see you back BUD.........A real rider..... not a poser that gets someone else to build "his" bike, one who actually builds it and RIDES.........Ohhhhhh so good for these old eyes to see that IT's still out there.............God bless......Dennis

I do admire your sense of humor & willingness do dig into this "fixer upper"

Spoke to a guy a few weeks ago trying to sell an R69 for 2k in Louisiana - when I looked at the pictures, the bike looked like it'd been through at least 13 Hurricanes! He kept telling me "everything's there" No title.

After tossing the idea out to a couple forum members, the consensus was this bike was worse than a basket case - not even worth scrap.
Figured to get this bike up to snuff it would've been north of 20k.

Gotta know when to hold'm and when to fold'm

Here's a picture of the rear end.

Anyway CDD - thanks for the great share and funny story - can't believe the guy said he had a carb shop - what a crackup.

You're sick. I know the virus. I don't know the proper name for it, but I too suffer from the same maladies. You will have some difficult decisions to make in the coming days and weeks as you walk out to the garage and decide which one to ride or work on today. So, you gonna make art or a daily rider? That thing has a nice set of wheels on it.

Nathan, I can see these photos just fine, I want to see more as you work on the bike. It is great to see the before and after photos, sort of like the fat person on TV that loses a bunch of weight and becomes a movie star.

I do admire your sense of humor & willingness do dig into this "fixer upper"

Spoke to a guy a few weeks ago trying to sell an R69 for 2k in Louisiana - when I looked at the pictures, the bike looked like it'd been through at least 13 Hurricanes! He kept telling me "everything's there" No title.

After tossing the idea out to a couple forum members, the consensus was this bike was worse than a basket case - not even worth scrap.
Figured to get this bike up to snuff it would've been north of 20k.

Gotta know when to hold'm and when to fold'm

Here's a picture of the rear end.

Anyway CDD - thanks for the great share and funny story - can't believe the guy said he had a carb shop - what a crackup.

You're sick. I know the virus. I don't know the proper name for it, but I too suffer from the same maladies.

I fight it every day. Stopped for a fabulous burrito the other day, and after I got a "nice bike" from the dude in the burrito line he said, "You know, a friend of mine has one of those all busted up in his barn."

500 sounds about right. I got a possible lead on a utility shed Beemer, but the usual attitude, "It's a BMW!!"

Can only imagine what they'll say when I offer 500 bucks. Owners of barn finds have been watching too much picker TV and have no idea what it takes, time and cash, to put an old non-runner right. You're a hero wrench, keep up the good work.